Yinhe Mercury 2
Rubber description:
The Yinhe Mercury 2 is a budget-friendly table tennis rubber that offers good value for its low price. It is a non-tensor rubber that provides a decent balance of speed, spin, and control. Reviews describe it as a “spinny” rubber with a medium-high throw angle, making it well-suited for topspin loops and drives close to the table.
Tackiness: The Mercury 2 is described as having a “medium tacky” topsheet that provides good grip and spin, though the tackiness may fade faster on the black version compared to the red. It is not as reactive to incoming spin as some more expensive rubbers, allowing players to overpower opponents’ spin.
Weight: The rubber is considered fairly heavy, with the 36-38 degree medium sponge version being heavier than the softer 33-35 degree version. The weight can contribute to a more stable feel on the blade.
Durability: This appears to be the main weakness of the Mercury 2, with several reviews noting the sponge can crumble and the topsheet can wear out relatively quickly compared to more premium rubbers. Careful removal and regluing is recommended to avoid damage.
Alternatives: For players looking for a similar budget-friendly, spinny rubber, the Friendship FX Lightening is mentioned as a potential alternative. More experienced players may want to consider upgrading to a tensor rubber like the Tenergy 05 for more power and speed.
Recent Reviews
#1 — June 2024
I was able to get the soft version of this rubber. Though it’s a cheap rubber, it is value for money. It has a decent speed, good spin, and good control. I would recommend it to anyone looking to get a quality racket on a tight budget. I will update later regarding the life of the rubber.
I bought the low-price rubber to try gluing it myself for the first time.
#2 — June 2024
This rubber has a very weird sound and feel at first when you buy it, but this is not a bad thing. It is a very spinny rubber for only 4 dollars.
#3 — June 2024
Spin: Mercury II generates decent spin for its price range.
Speed: It has sufficient speed for beginners, exceeding 729/friendship BATTLE II hard tacky Chinese rubber. However, applying power to loops/drives is necessary to achieve optimal speed while maintaining control.
Hardness: The medium sponge hardness of the Mercury II is not as firm as BATTLE II but exceeds expectations.
Tackiness/Dwell Time: Mercury II features medium tackiness, providing adequate dwell time for easy ball rotation. It is less tacky than H3 and similar traditional Chinese tacky rubbers.
Throw Angle: The medium-high throw angle simplifies looping/driving.
Style FH/BH: Mercury II facilitates shots on both forehand and backhand. Its medium-high throw angle enables effective short backhand flicks in response to backspin/topspin serves.
Ease of Use: Mercury II is user-friendly for beginners. Its good control and effortless looping/driving capabilities make it accessible. However, some power is required for faster shots. Cautious play is recommended when the game is not in your favor.
Chops: Mercury II enables controlled chops with ease.
Comments: Yinhe’s Mercury II utilizes MOXA sponge technology to combine a “tensor” feel with the tackiness of Chinese hard tacky rubbers.
Get Notified of New Equipment and Reviews
༼ つ ◕_◕ ༽つ No spam or other useless stuff. We plan to send out some newsletters from time to time with the latest reviews and project updates. Feel free to unsubscribe at any time.